Florida man loses nose after 2-in-a-million flu infection: 'a sneeze could kill me'

Brandon Boothby's nose was removed and now has a prosthetic nose. (Representational)

Brandon Boothby, a 31-year-old firefighter from Florida, US, faced the unimaginable when a rare fungal infection compelled him to undergo the removal of his nose. The ordeal began with flu-like symptoms, eventually leading to a diagnosis of severe aplastic anaemia, a two-in-a-million condition that compromises the body's ability to combat infections.

Brandon's battle took a drastic turn when a potentially fatal fungal infection threatened his life, culminating in a series of surgeries and the loss of his nose.

Brandon's journey commenced with the onset of flu-like symptoms that rapidly escalated, leaving him weak and incapacitated. Hospital tests unveiled the presence of severe aplastic anaemia, a condition affecting only two people per million annually in the US and the UK.

"It's such a severe disease that if someone sneezes around you, you could get a fatal infection," he told The Sun.

As the autoimmune disorder wreaked havoc on his immune system, Brandon's vulnerability to infections soared, ultimately leading to a life-threatening fungal invasion.

While awaiting a bone marrow donor, Brandon's nose became the battleground for a relentless fungal assault. Describing the escalating pain and swelling, he revealed, "It was just going deeper and deeper into my face and started to get into my left eye."

Faced with the prospect of the infection reaching his brain, a decision was made to amputate his nose and part of the eye socket. Brandon's survival hinged on this drastic measure.

Following the removal of his nose, Brandon underwent a bone marrow transplant, marking a critical juncture in his arduous journey. However, the battle was far from over as he grappled with graft versus host syndrome, a condition where the newly introduced healthy blood cells attacked his own body.

The subsequent malnutrition, eczema-like symptoms, and organ inflammation posed additional threats, pushing him to the brink of having part of his intestine removed.

With monthly checkups and a steadfast commitment to healing, he has returned to full-time duty as a firefighter, defying the initial prognosis that estimated a three-year recovery period. He now has a prosthetic nose.